NFL Fantasy Football 2011

User Submitted Question: Is fantasy football good for the real game or not?




        One thing that immediately comes to mind , Maurice Jones-Drew infamous kneel down at the 1-yard line against the New York Jets on Nov 15 2009. The Jets were at a point where the only way they were going to get the ball back late in the game was letting Jacksonville's RB Jones-Drew score a TD, but to there dismay, Jones-Drew suddenly stopped at the one yard line and took a knee. This was very reminiscent to Brian Westbrook's kneel down against the the New York Giants in 2007, but this one was more obvious and way more strategic. Jones-Drew knew kneeling down would run the clock down allowing Josh Scoobe a chance at a chip shot that would put the game away, giving the Jets virtually no time to respond or have a chance at a comeback.

         This shows that athletes have zero or no attachments to fantasy teams and leagues, whether they love their fans or they themselves are partaking in a fantasy game. In a league as prestigious as the NFL, athletes number one priority is doing what's best in helping the team win on that given week and that's the way it should be. If the Jaguars needed a TD, Jones-Drew would have definitely been in the end-zone but the Jaguars need an opportunity to run the clock and still have a shot at a high percentage field goal to put the game away and Jones-Drew gave them just that. Yes, he did apologize to his fantasy owners and did rag on himself because he owned Maurice Jones Drew in his fantasy league, but it was all in good fun. No way was there any regret and or remorse and nor should he have felt that way.
        Fantasy football has been nothing more than great for the NFL. Jones Drew apologizing was a perfect example of fans and athletes interacting and having some type of connection or bond. Kenny Mayne and Maurice Jones Drew even did a parody on ESPN's "Mayne Event" about the whole situation, the kneel down basically gave ESPN a freebie at an episode for the "Mayne Event" and they ran with it. For athletes fantasy football games are all in good fun because not only could they draft themselves, they have the chance to draft teammates and other athletes around the league they may have played college ball with or have some sort of on going-friendly rivalry.
       For many fans, fanatsy football games finally gives them the opportunity to draft,manage,trade,make transactions and crucial decisions involving a team of professional athletes in doing what's in the teams best interest and ultimately winning the big one, whether it may be referred to as the "Shiva Bowl" or the "Wotless Championship",whatever your version of the Super Bowl may be, you want to win it all! A lot of fans have great insight and analysis of whats currently going on the league, especially when it comes to talent and production but have no where to put this knowledge to use. Fantasy football gives fans a chance to take the driver seat on managing a team an applying their football intellect. Many fans may have never been athletic enough to make it pass JV but have the brain power to command what should be done on the field. Fantasy football gives them the ultimate experience as to what it's like to manage and run a team/organization. A Giants fan may root for an Eagle because he/she drafted Micheal Vick, a Jets fan may root for the Patriots on Any Given Sunday because he/she drafted Wes Welker, for 15 minutes an historic rivalry is put on the back burner. This is what Fantasy Football brings to the table, an interaction between Fans, Athletes and the NFL that cannot be matched or duplicated.


-OneHop

Week 7 Fantasy Football TALK.

Free Agents Finds..
  

Carson is back.

Carson Palmer QB-OAK- If you have the room or a player too dump, feel free to pick up Carson Palmer. He is in no way a "must start" and probably will not be for most of the season but he is a solid security blanket. I believe by week 11 he will hit his stride, with a week 8 bye coming up, he will have more than enough time too get acclimated with this already familiar offense. Now, if you are relying on Carson Palmer to make some noise in the fantasy post-season and carry you to the promise land, you may want to reevaluate your team.


Montario Hardesty RB-CLE- Why not take a shot on Montario?.  Hillis has only gotten into the end-zone twice this season and both TD's came in the same game. For a lot of owners that drafted Hillis high, they might be looking for something new, a change of pace, anyone that could give half of the production expected from Peyton, this late in the FA pool. Hillis has been a lost cause all season and it seems even when healthy, his contract disputes are factoring into his focus. I say ride Montario while Hillis is unfocused, injured or suffering from the "Madden Curse", whatever it may be.


Jackie Battle RB-KC- At this point, the Chiefs will probably feed the ball to the hottest hand at RB. It seems as if Dexter McCluster is not an every down back and Todd Haley will continue to use him as a change of pace back, which still makes him a solid flex spot, especially during bye weeks. Thomas Jones has been about average as a fantasy RB could be, rushing for "decent" yards but not able to find the endzone. The Raiders may be prepared for Jackie but he showed he could handle the heavy work load and is worth a flex start this week.

Dallas Duo.

DeMarco Murray/ Tashard Choice RB-DAL- Felix Jones will probably miss a couple of games. Now i do think the Cowboys will rely heavily on the passing game, with Dez Bryant and Miles Austin getting back to 100%. Both Murray and Choice are good flex start options, or if losing Jones really put you in a choke-hold at RB. Even though neither has yet to show they will be the every down back or get the higher percent of the carries, Murray looked stronger and more productive against the Patriots, where as Choice had 5 rushes for 14 yards and a fumble in the red-zone. I would try to grab Murray first, but if you really need a RB or flex player, grab Choice.


Fred Davis TE-WAS- Fred Davis is a TE that should already be on everyone's radar, if not already on your roster.With this being Beck's first start of season, the Redskins will probably pound the ball as Beck eases into the start role. Beck has not shown that he will sling it deep at will and with Chris Cooley out, Fred Davis makes for the perfect safety blanket for ole' Johnny boy.




Leave him on the bench...

Odd Man Out

Robert Meachem WR-NO- Jimmy Graham is Drew's number one target, no matter the opponent. Colston is back and healthy and Sproles continues to be Drew's saftey blankey. Meachem is just the odd man out.


Delone Carter RB-IND- Even if Addai misses another game and Carter gets the start, you are probably just setting yourself up for disappointment. Carter has not shown he could handle the load and the Colts do not get to the goal line often enough too bank on Carter getting into the end-zone.

Stay Away

Tim Hightower RB-WAS- As seen last week, being listed as the starting RB in Washington could get you zero action. No RB in Shanahan's offense is a safe start, Torain if you are in dire need of a flex starter, even then i would leave Torain on my bench and let things play out in Washington. Tim seems to be ailing and Shanahan seems to be Shanahan.



DeAngelo Williams RB-CAR- First let me make it clear, the best goal line back on this team has been Cam Newton. The most productive running back on this team has been Jonathon Stewart because he has caught passes out the backfield. Stewart's production has been limited due to splitting the work with Williams and it seems due to Williams contract from this off-season, Carolina is staying loyal in trying to make him a factor in this offense.Even though he has under achieved and is still a question mark. DeAngelo just does not have his legs under him.



-One Hop